Explosive device



Sept. 20, 1932. B. c. GOSS V 1,878,491

EXPLOSIVE DEVICE Filed Nov. 24. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet vl Invenzor: @row 0.60.98,

Sept. 20, 1932. 5, 3, 055 1,878,491

I EXPLOSIVE DEVICE Filed Nov. 24. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 20, 1932.B. c. GOSS EXPLOSIVE DEVICE Filed Nov. 24. '1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Imamqjh 0-6068,

Patented Sept. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BYRON G. GOSS, OFCLEVELAND, OHIO EXPLOSIVE DEVICE This invention relates to explosivedevices, of the type which are exploded by high explosives containedtherein, for example, hand grenades, shells, projectiles, Stokes mortar.5 bombs, projector bombs, etc., and which distribute disabling andasphyxiating gases, such as tear gas, irritating gases, nauseatinggases, mustard gas, and other vesicants, also other poisonous gases suchfor example, as are used in warfare, and similar gases, etc., also suchgases as are used to disperse mobs, papture criminals, etc., the saidgases being liberated and dispersed by the force of the explosion whenthe explosive device is firedr.

M An object of the invention is to provide an explosive device in whichthe disabling gas generating chemicals contained therein are maintainedunder a greatly increased initial pressure, said pressure bein produced'by an agent or agents introduced mto the device during its assembly;the pressure producing agent comprising initially inserted solid carbondioxide, or a suitable quantity of a cooled and liquefied substancewhich is a gas at normal temperatures and pressures but which may beliquefied by low temperature and high pressure, for example, ethylchloride, methyl chloride, or similar substances, or the initialpressuremay be pro- 80 duced by a charge of highly compressed air, nitrogen,carbon dioxide, or other compressed gases, which may also be of adisabling character, but which do not detrimentally react chemicallywith the charge of disabling gas 85 generating chemicals.

' A further object is to provide an explosive device which when firedwill explode, and

distribute and disperse disabling and asphyxiating gases, or poisonousgases, over a con- 40 siderable expanse of area, in ,order that thedisabling gas will. be eifective over a very large area and that anincreased number of people whom it'is desired te'evercome will beaffected thereby.

,A further object is to provide an explosive device of the type abovedescribed in which the chargeo-f gasgenerating chemicals is saturatedwith a dissolved gas under high pressure, the said gas expanding andhaving the effect ofvastly increasing the dispersing with hermeticallysealed openings, and a dearid atomizing of said 'chemicals when thedevice is exploded and the chemical charge is blown about by the forceof the explosion.

scribed hereafter, in suitable shells, rojectiles, Stokes mortar bombs,projector ombs, for use in warfare. Such shells, projectiles, etc., areenormously more effective in distributing the poison gases over agreatly extended area than the type of poison gas shells in useheretofore.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 illustrates, in section, one type of device, specifically agrenade, which is exploded when fired, and gasifies and distributes thecontents thereof over a very large area.

Fig. 2 is a modification, in section, in which the device, specificallya grenade, is provided structible seal on the bottom of the centraltube, the said seals being destroyed by the force of the explosion, andthe charge then issuing through all of the openings in the form of highpressure streams which squirt to a considerable distance.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of one type of shell adapted foruse in warfare, containing high explosives, and also a charge of mustardgas, or other vesicant, or mixturesof such poison gas generatingmaterials, together with a charge of a pressure generating agent, suchas carbon dioxide, etc. Fig. 4 is alongitudinal section of a differenttype of shell in which the mustard gas, etc., or other vesicant, ormixture thereof, and the pressure generating agent, is placed within aninner container.

Figs. 5 and 6 are longitudinal sectional 100 the grenade is thrown, thehandle becoming.

detached from the bouchon head 8 in the act of throwing. The grenadebody 1 is provided with a neck 14, welded at 15, and passing through theneck is a thimblev 13, to the lower part of the thimble is secured theclosed 7 tube 17, which is welded to the thimble'at 16. The closed tube17 may be sealed at the bottom by a lead button 20, or otherwise, and atthe lower end of tube 17, there may be placed a suitable wad or cushion28.

as the grenade is thrown and the handle 2 detached, the striker 5, whichis pivoted at 3, and which is actuated. by spring 6, flies over andstrikes the-primer 9, which latter is covered by a suitable foil 10, theprimer igniting the match head 11 on the end of the fuse 12, and thefuse iii turn igniting the explosive charge 19, which latter may consistof fulminate of mercury, tetryl, or other vio lent explosive. vided witha depending tube 25, and to the latter is suitably secured an easilydestructible tube 18, by a pinched joint 26 or other means, the fuse 12being located in thcztube '25, and the fulminate of mercury explosive 19being placed in the tube 18.

The grenade body 1 is suitably charged with chemicals 22 which generatedisabling and asphyxiating gases of the type above referred to, saidchemicals consisting of, for example, chloracetophenone, ethylbroinacetate, chlorpicrin, crotonaldehyde, and the like, thechloracetophenone or similar gas generating chemical being dissolved inor diffused through, or associated with the ethyl bromacetate, orchlorpicrin, or crotonaldehyde, or other solvent, said solvents alsopossessing, or may possess, thepropert-y of generating disabling gases.Or the grenade I may be charged with poison gas chemicals, for example,mustard gas, or other vesicants, such as are used in warfare, and alsothe pressure generating agent described hereafter. The said chemicals ormixtures thereof are charged into the grenade to about the levelindicated at 31, and the remaining space charged with pressure producingagents 21, such as solid carbon dioxide, liquefied ethyl chloride,liquefied methyl chloride, highly compressed carbon dioxide gas, highlycompressed air, highly compressed nitrogen, highly compressed disablinggases, etc., and then the thimble 13, with its associated tube 17,immediately attached, the thimble and the tube 17 constituting aninternal tubular As soon The bouchon head 8 is proclosure for thegrenade, and the charged grenade stored and shipped in this condition.

Before use the assembled bouchon head 8 with the tube 18 and associatedelements are attached. On standing, the solid and liquid.

pressure generating agents 21 above referred to, become gases, andproduce an enormous pressure, and all of the gaseous agents (118' solveto a considerable extent under the pressure in the liquid contentsof-the grenade,

the entire contents of the grenade being preferably under from 7 5 to100 pounds pressure.

When the'grenade is exploded the temperature due to the explosionenormously increases the initial pressure within the grenade, and ,thefinal pressure due to the combined initial pressure of the contents of agrenade and the force of the "explosion bursts the grenade and gasifiesthe gas. gen-" creased, and one grenade of this type will have its gasesso widely distributed that as many people in a mob will be affectedthereby as would have been disabled by the use of four or live grenadesof the type heretofore used. A similar enormously increased distributionof the poison gases described under Figs. 3 and 4 is also obtained bycharging the shells 35 and 45, described hereafter, with the highpressure generating agents.

The modification illustrated in Fig. 2, resembles in general that shownin Fig. 1, but with the tube 17 sealed at the lower end with a fusiblemetal cover 30, and is providedwith a charge of black powder or otherexplosive 27, which is ignited by a match head ,or similar ignitor 19 atthe end of the fuse 12. a piece of thin lead foil 29 is placed upon theblack powder charge 27, and upon firing, the black powder is explodedand blows oif the cover 30; the grenade body 1 is not destroyed by theexplosion, but is provided with openings 23 which are sealed with afusible metal cover 24, the latter being readily melted or blown ofi bythe high temperature and force of the explosion, and the contents of thegrenade blown violently through the uncovered openings 23, and alsothrough the tube 25, and out of, the top through the head 8 as long highpressure liquid or gaseous streams, the pressure being so great thatsaid streams are projected to a considerable distance, and serve todistribute the disabling gases over a large expanse of area as describedunder Fig. 1. The streams of disabling gas generating chemicals aresaturated with the dissolved pressure generating gases, and in theirpassing through the air the dissolved gases expand and vaporize theliquid stream, and serve to greatly increase the dis ersion of thedisabling gases.

In Fig. 3, a shell body is provided with a removable bottom 36, and aremovable firing head 37 shown on an enlarged scale in Figs. 5 and 6. Adestructible metal tube 38 is filled with a violently high explosive 39which may consist of fulminate of mercury, tetryl, etc., and is coveredwith lead foil, felt wads, etc, 40. The top of head 37 may be coveredwith a moisture proof cap 41. The shell 35 is charged with a suitablevesicant, such as mustard gas, or agents which evolve gases of themustard gas class, etc., 42, to about the level 43, and also a pressuregenerating agent such as carbon dioxide, etc., in the space 44, asdescribed above under Fig. 1.

In Fig. 4, the firing head 37 is shown detached; the loaded projectiles,shells, etc., may be shipped in this manner for safety. In this figure,a shell body is provided with a removable bottom 46, and contains aglass, porcelain, or other holder 47, which is charged with asuitable'vesicant 48 such as mustard gas, or agents which evolve gasesofthe-mustard gas class, etc., to about the level 54, and a pressuregenerating agent such as carbon dioxide, etc. in the space 70, asdescribed above under Fig. 1. The holder 47 is surrounded with a packing49, and covered with lead foil 50; a charge of T. N. T. 51, or

other explosive, is provided, and a cement filling 52 is placed around aholder contaming a high explosive 53. The holder 65 is secured to thebushing 54 which is screwed into the top of the shell.

Fig. 5 illustrates on an enlarged scale a longitudinal sectional view ofone. type of firing head 37, provided with a firing pin 58, a safety pin59, primer 60, upper detonator 61, centrifugal plunger or interrupter62, and lower detonator 63. The firing heads 37 are I generally notinserted inthe shells until it is desired to use them, for example, asshown separately in Figs. 4 and 7.

F ig. 6 illustrates on an enlarged scale a longitudinal sectional viewof an explosive charge holder 65 attached to a bushing 54, to beinserted in the shells 35 and 45, the holder 65 containing a violentexplosive such as mercury fulminate, tetryl, or other highexplosive 53.

I claim 1. The method of dispersing the discharged gases generated bythe gas generating chemicals contained in an explosive device when saiddevice is fired which com prises intimately associating said gas gen--crating-chemicals with an agent which is being normally under highpressure in said device, and firing said device and delivering thecontents thereof as a combined discharge of chemical gas and agent, saidagent then expanding and dispersing said discharged gas chemicals overanenormous area.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, in which the chemicalscomprise disabling and incapacitating gas generating materials.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1 in which the chemicals comprisechloracetophenone and a solvent therefore.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1, in which the chemicalscomprise chlorace tophenone and ethylbromacetate.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1, in which the chemicalscomprise materials which evolve gases of the mustard gas class.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1, in which said agent comprisescarbon dioxide.

7. The method of increasing the efiectiveness of explosive devices fordispersing gases, which comprises charging said device with gasgenerating chemicals, adding a further charge of a normally gaseouspressure producing agent, said chemicals dissolving a portion of saidagent, and said agent being present .in suflicient excess to produce andmaintain a high pressure in said device.

8. The method of increasing the eifectiveness of explosive devices fordispersing gases which comprises charging said device with disabling gasgenerating chemicals and carbon dioxide, said carbon dioxide beingpresent in suflicient excess to produce and maintain a normally highinitial pressure in said device.

9. The method in accordance with claim 8 in which the chemicals comprisechloraceto-' phenone and a solvent therefore.

10. The method in accordance with claim 8 in which the chemicalscomprise materials which evolve gases of the mustard gas class.

11. An explosive device comprising a body containing an explosivecharge, means to fire the same, said body containing gas generatingchemi'cals and also an agent normally gaseous atordinary temperaturesand pressures, the contents of said device being normally under highcompression and said agent being soluble in and diffused through theclaim 11', in which the gas generating chemicals comprisechloracetophenone and a solvent therefore.

13. An explosive device in accordance with claim 11, inwhich the agentcomprises carbon dioxide.

g 14. An explosive device in accordance with claim '1l, in which the gasgenerating chemicals comprise chloracetophenonefassociated withethylbromacetate,.and the agent is carbon dioxide.

15. An explosive device in accordance with claim 11 in which thechemicals comprise materials which evolve gases of the'mustard gasclass.

16. An explosive device comprising a container, a charge thereincomprising disabling gas generating chemicals, saidchemicals containinga dissolved vaporizing and dispersing agent, said agent being present inm excess, the contents of said device being normally under highpressure, an internal tubular closure for said device maintaining thecontents thereofunder high pressure.

17. vAn explosive device in accordance with 15 claim 16 in which saidchemicals comprise chloracetophenone and a solvent therefore.

18. An explosive device in accordance with claim 16, in which thechemicals comprise chloracetophenone and ethylbromacetate.

g0 19. An explosive device in accordance with claim 16, in which saidagent comprises carbon dioxide.

20. An explosive device in accordance with claim 16, in which the gasgenerating chem- 5 icals comprise chloracetophenone associated withethylbromacetate, and the agent is carbon dioxide.

21. An explosive device in accordance with claim 16 in which thechemicals comprise materials which evolve gases of the mustard gasclass.

22. A. charge for explosive devices comprising disabling gas generatingchemicals andan excess of a normally gaseous agent associated therewith,said chemicals and gaseous agent being normally under high pressure insaid grenade.

23. A charge for explosive devices in accordance with claim. 22, inwhich the gas generating chemicals" comprise chloracetophenone.

24. A charge for explosive devices in accordance with claim 22, inwhichthe gaseous agent comprises carbon dioxide. a

25. A charge for explosive devices in accordance with claim 22, in whichthe chemicals comprise chloracetophenone and ethylbromacetate, and thegaseous agent is carbon dioxide.

6% 26. A charge for explosive devices in aclcordance with claim 22 inwhich the chemicals comprise materials whichevolve gases" of the mustardgas class.

27 A charge for explosive devices in accordance with claim 22 in whichthe chemicals comprise materials which evolve gases of the mustard gasclass, and the gas pressure generating agent is carbon dioxide.

In testimony whereof I hereby afli'x my signature.

BON c; eossj

